Practical information from Belong OT
Frequently Asked Questions
Find clear answers to common occupational therapy FAQs in Ireland, including questions about appointments, assessments, reports, fees, online support, schools, workplaces and services for children and adults.
Start with the question that matters to you
Belong OT provides private occupational therapy support for children, young people, adults, families, schools, workplaces and organisations. Services are based in Ardnacrusha, County Clare, with suitable in-person support across Clare, Limerick and Tipperary. Online consultations are available across Ireland where appropriate.
Getting started Occupational therapy, referrals and choosing the right service.
What is occupational therapy?
Occupational therapy supports people to participate in the everyday activities they need, want or are expected to do. This might include self-care, play, learning, work, home routines, relationships, rest and community life.
Who does Belong OT support?
Belong OT supports children, young people and adults whose health, development, environment or individual differences affect everyday participation. Support may also involve parents, families, schools, workplaces and other organisations.
Do I need a referral?
No. Adults, parents and guardians may contact Belong OT directly. A GP, school or another professional may also make contact with the appropriate consent.
Do I or my child need a diagnosis?
No. Occupational therapy support is based on the person’s needs, priorities and participation in everyday life. A formal diagnosis is not required to begin with an initial consultation.
How do I know which service to choose?
Most people begin with an initial consultation. This provides time to discuss current concerns, existing information, goals and the most appropriate next step.
Where does Belong OT provide services?
Belong OT is based in Ardnacrusha, County Clare. Suitable in-person services are available across Clare, Limerick and Tipperary. Online consultations are available across Ireland where appropriate.
Is Belong OT an emergency or crisis service?
No. Belong OT does not provide emergency, crisis or out-of-hours support. Urgent safety, medical or mental health concerns should be directed to the appropriate emergency or public service.
Appointments and online support What to expect before, during and after an appointment.
What is an initial consultation?
An initial consultation is a focused discussion about current concerns, strengths, routines, participation and priorities. It helps identify practical next steps and whether assessment or further occupational therapy support would be useful.
How long is an initial consultation?
The standard initial consultation lasts approximately 60 minutes. Any preparation forms or information required before the appointment will be explained when booking.
Are online appointments available?
Yes. Online consultations and suitable follow-up sessions are available across Ireland. Online support works particularly well for discussion, planning, reviewing routines, goal setting and sharing practical strategies.
Does my child need to attend the initial consultation?
This depends on the child’s age, needs and the purpose of the consultation. A parent-only consultation is often helpful when adults need space to discuss concerns openly. Belong OT will advise you before the appointment.
What should I prepare before the appointment?
Think about the everyday activities that feel difficult, what is already working and what you hope will change. Previous reports, school information, photographs, short videos or examples of work may be useful where relevant and shared securely.
Can another person attend the appointment?
Yes, where this is helpful and the client or appropriate decision-maker agrees. This might include a parent, partner, family member, support person or another professional.
What happens if I need to cancel or rearrange?
Contact Belong OT as soon as possible. The amount of notice provided and the type of appointment booked will determine whether a cancellation fee applies.
Children, young people and adults Support shaped around age, needs, strengths and everyday life.
What concerns might lead a family to contact an occupational therapist?
Families often seek support when dressing, eating, toileting, handwriting, play, coordination, sensory regulation, transitions, sleep, school participation or family routines feel difficult. The focus stays on how these concerns affect everyday life.
Does Belong OT support sensory regulation?
Yes. Support may explore sensory experiences, emotional regulation, environmental demands, routines and the strategies a person already uses. Recommendations focus on participation rather than trying to remove natural individual differences.
Does Belong OT support handwriting and school tasks?
Yes. Assessment may consider posture, motor coordination, visual-motor skills, pencil control, fatigue, speed, written output, classroom demands and access to suitable alternatives.
Does Belong OT work with adults?
Yes. Adult occupational therapy may focus on daily routines, self-care, work, study, home management, planning, organisation, sensory needs, fatigue, confidence and community participation.
Does Belong OT diagnose autism or ADHD?
No. Belong OT does not provide autism or ADHD diagnosis. Occupational therapy may explore how sensory, organisational, motor and daily-living differences affect participation and recommend further assessment where appropriate.
Does Belong OT support DCD or dyspraxia?
Yes. Support may explore developmental history, coordination, motor skills and the effect of these differences on everyday participation. Belong OT also offers an adult DCD and dyspraxia assessment pathway.
How are goals chosen?
Goals are agreed with the person and, where relevant, their parent, guardian or support network. They should relate to meaningful everyday activities and reflect what the person wants or needs to do more comfortably, confidently or independently.
Assessments and reports Consultation, assessment, recommendations and written reports.
What is the difference between a consultation and an assessment?
A consultation explores concerns, priorities and possible next steps. An assessment involves a more detailed review of occupational participation and may include questionnaires, interviews, observation, record review or standardised assessment tools.
Does everyone need a full assessment?
No. Some people benefit from consultation, practical recommendations and goal-focused support without completing a full assessment. The appropriate level of input depends on the question being asked and how the information will be used.
What might an occupational therapy assessment include?
An assessment may include discussion, developmental or occupational history, questionnaires, observation, review of previous reports, functional tasks and standardised tools. The exact process depends on the person’s needs and the purpose of the assessment.
Are standardised assessment tools used?
Standardised tools are used where they are appropriate, valid for the person and relevant to the referral question. Assessment findings are interpreted alongside real-life participation, history, observation and professional reasoning.
Will I receive a written report?
A written report is provided where it forms part of the service booked. The type, scope and purpose of the report will be explained before you decide to proceed.
How long will a report take?
The expected report timeframe depends on the assessment, the amount of information reviewed and whether further clarification is needed. The estimated timeframe will be explained as part of the service agreement.
Can the report be shared with a school, GP or another professional?
Yes, with the appropriate consent. You may share your own copy, or Belong OT may send information directly where written consent and secure contact details are available.
Does a report guarantee access to funding, supports or accommodations?
No. A report provides clinical findings and recommendations. Decisions about funding, school supports, workplace accommodations, grants or services remain with the relevant organisation or decision-maker.
Schools, workplaces and organisations Collaborative support with clear consent and confidentiality.
Does Belong OT work with schools?
Yes. School-related input may include consultation, observation, assessment, practical recommendations, participation planning and communication with relevant staff.
Is parent or guardian consent required before working with a school?
Yes. Belong OT requires appropriate consent before discussing a child, completing a school visit or sharing personal information with school staff.
Can a teacher contact Belong OT directly?
A teacher may make a general enquiry. Information about an individual child will only be discussed where the appropriate consent and service arrangements are in place.
Can Belong OT observe a child in school?
Yes, where school observation is clinically relevant and agreed in advance. Parent or guardian consent, school agreement, visit arrangements and any associated fees must be confirmed first.
Can occupational therapy recommendations support school planning?
Yes. Recommendations may support classroom access, participation, routines, regulation, handwriting, movement, organisation and environmental adjustment. The school decides how recommendations are implemented within its own resources and responsibilities.
Does Belong OT replace public or school-based services?
No. Belong OT is an independent private service. It may complement existing supports, but it does not replace HSE, education, disability or other statutory services.
Does Belong OT provide workplace support?
Belong OT plans to offer workplace occupational therapy and workplace needs assessments from January 2027. This may include exploring job demands, barriers to participation, environmental factors and practical workplace accommodations.
Will Belong OT contact an employer without permission?
No. Belong OT will not normally contact an employer or share personal information without the adult client’s informed consent. The purpose and limits of any communication will be agreed first.
Fees, travel and insurance Charges, receipts, travel and possible reimbursement.
Where can I find the current fees?
Current consultation, assessment and follow-up fees are published on the Pricing page. The fee and what is included will be confirmed before a service begins.
Is a report included in every appointment fee?
No. A report is included only where it is listed as part of the service booked. Brief recommendations, consultation summaries and full assessment reports involve different levels of clinical work.
Are travel charges included in the appointment fee?
Travel may be charged separately for home, school, workplace or community visits. Any applicable travel charge will be explained and agreed before the visit is confirmed.
Can online appointments reduce travel costs?
Yes. Where clinically appropriate, consultation, planning, review and follow-up may take place online. This helps keep travel and disruption as low as possible.
Does private health insurance cover occupational therapy?
Cover varies between insurers, plans and individual policies. Contact your insurer before booking if reimbursement is important to you. Belong OT cannot guarantee that an insurer will refund a particular service.
Will I receive a receipt?
Yes. A receipt is available for paid services and will describe the service provided. Keep your receipts if you plan to make an insurance or tax-related claim.
Might health expense tax relief or a VAT refund apply?
Eligibility depends on Revenue rules, the type of expense and your individual circumstances. Belong OT does not guarantee tax relief or a refund, but clear receipts and supporting recommendations will be provided where they form part of the service.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation terms depend on the notice provided and the type of appointment or visit arranged. Please review the full policy before booking.
Consent, confidentiality and records Protecting information and supporting informed decisions.
How does Belong OT obtain consent?
Consent is discussed before assessment, intervention, information sharing or contact with another person or organisation. Consent should be informed, voluntary and specific to the proposed service.
How is a child or young person involved in decisions?
Belong OT seeks the child or young person’s views in a way suited to their age, communication and understanding. Their assent, comfort and willingness to participate remain important throughout the service.
Is information confidential?
Yes. Personal and clinical information is kept confidential and shared only for an agreed purpose, with consent, or where sharing is required for safety, safeguarding or legal reasons.
When might information be shared without consent?
Information may need to be shared where there is a serious safety or safeguarding concern, a legal obligation or another recognised professional duty to disclose. Only relevant information will be shared with the appropriate service.
How are clinical records stored?
Clinical records are stored securely using appropriate electronic or encrypted systems. Access is limited and records are managed in line with professional, legal and data-protection requirements.
How long are records kept?
Retention periods differ according to the type of record, the age of the client and relevant professional or legal requirements. The full retention approach is explained in the Data Retention Policy.
Is client information discussed during clinical supervision?
Clinical supervision supports safe and accountable practice. Information is anonymised wherever possible, and only information relevant to professional consultation or clinical decision-making is discussed.
Can I request access to or correction of my records?
Yes. You may request access to personal information or ask for factual inaccuracies to be corrected. Some legal and professional limits may apply to particular records or information involving another person.
Contact, accessibility and feedback Making contact, requesting adjustments and raising concerns.
What is the best way to contact Belong OT?
Use the Contact page to send an enquiry. Enquiries may be managed by email, WhatsApp or a scheduled telephone call, depending on your preference and the nature of the enquiry.
Can I request communication or sensory adjustments?
Yes. Tell Belong OT about any communication, mobility, sensory, literacy, technology or appointment adjustments that would support your access and participation.
Can I bring a support person?
Yes. You may bring a trusted person where this supports communication, decision-making or participation. Their role and the client’s preferences will be agreed at the beginning of the appointment.
How do I provide feedback?
Feedback is welcome and helps improve the service. You may share positive feedback, suggestions or concerns directly through the Contact page.
How do I make a complaint?
You may raise a complaint verbally or in writing. Complaints are handled fairly, respectfully and as confidentially as possible. Making a complaint will not negatively affect the service you receive.
Not sure what to book?
Begin with an initial consultation or send a brief enquiry. Belong OT will help you identify the most appropriate next step.
Last reviewed: 24 July 2026